How To: Sell Stuff On eBay

The low starting point will lure buyers hunting for deals, while the long auction period will draw out their competitive nature as the price goes up. For items of unknown popularity, consider using the "buy it now" option, which will put pressure on the buyer to swoop in and take the deal (just be sure to set the "buy it now" price with a built-in profit). If you're adamant about fetching a minimum price, use a reserve, which will enable you to pull the item back, if the price is not met. Finally, all sellers should consider shipping in their price, as many buyers operate with a budget. One option, is to offer free shipping. By including your shipping fees in the price and then adding a "free shipping" note to your item, you may inflate your charges compared to competitors, but you'll also be able to differentiate yourself.

how long to make the auction

The length of an auction can vary, but as a general rule, the less the price, the shorter the auction should be. So, for an item below $25 you shouldn't need more than a day to auction it off. Shorter auctions appear higher in search results. But long auctions can be good, too. Consider a longer auction if you're selling an expensive item or something that is rather unique. In either case, the goal of the auction is to build enthusiasm, which will translate into dollars.

get help if you need it

If eBay sounds daunting, you don't have to go it alone. eBay offers assistants for a fee (usually an upfront cost of about $20 and a commission of 30% to 40%), who take the photos, write the ads and handle the shipping. Or, you can find your own consignment option locally at a drop-off location. Again, the fees and services are about the same.

how to get paid

eBay puts buyers and sellers together, but it's up to both parties to arrange the transaction. Buyers can pay with cash, check or credit card. But the best way to protect yourself is to use PayPal because it requires giving a minimum of personal information to third parties. PayPal is widely accepted on eBay, and is the most popular pay service amongst current sellers. PayPal accounts charge a small transaction fee that varies based on the size of the transaction. Smaller transactions are subject to a 2.9% fee, while larger transactions have a fee of 1.9%.

to market...

eBay isn't the only way to sell your stuff, but it might be the best way. That being said, if you're a novice you need to understand that eBay is about business. It's not an online garage sale. So, while you can easily dump your old video cassette collection, you do so at your own peril if you don't do your research. The goal of eBay is to provide an honest, safe forum for commerce. But how well you do depends on your own selling skills. Maximize your skills and you'll become a PowerSeller on eBay.